Scope
Description
All Royal Navy hydrographic vessels are fitted with Applanix Corporation POS-MV systems which provide accurate articulation of vessel position and motion, both of fundamental importance to the conduct of high-order hydrographic survey and Military Data Gathering in support of the Defence Hydrographic Programme and a wide range of other Defence Tasks (e.g. support to Deterrent and submarine navigation, and monitoring of underwater Critical National Infrastructure).
An effective maintenance and support contract is crucial to maintaining this capability in good working order. It will provide firmware and hardware warranties; the ability to service and repair equipment; training; the mechanism to achieve effective obsolescence management; continued provision of high-accuracy real-time positioning; and an assured ability to post-process collected GNSS data.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £791,200 excluding VAT
- £989,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 38290000 - Surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic and hydrological instruments and appliances
- 71353100 - Hydrographic surveying services
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
There is a requirement to contract for the support and maintenance of Applanix POD MV systems as fitted to Royal Navy Hydrographic Vessels.
The Ships Support (Hydrographic and Patrol) team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (“the Authority”)), intends to award a contract to Applanix Corporation for the support and maintenance of Applanix POS MV systems as fitted to Royal Navy Hydrographic Vessels. This contract will enable warranty and in-service support, provision of precise position and motion data, repair, training and end-of-life replacement of systems manufactured by Applanix Corporation.
The contract will be for 5 years and have an estimated value of £989,000.00
This procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (“PA 23”). In accordance with the provisions of PA 2023, it is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 PA 23 because the direct award justification specified in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 applies, which reads:-.
The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract—
(a)due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
(b)there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.
.
This justification applies because Applanix Corporation develop, design and manufacture the POS MV systems currently fitted to Royal Navy hydrographic vessels, including all associated firmware and software. As the OEM, Applanix Corporation is the only company able to maintain the hardware and guarantee the performance of firmware and software in a complex, evolving GNSS environment. Furthermore, only Applanix Corporation can deliver direct remote support and provide field engineer attendance for both proactive maintenance and reactive repair, thereby ensuring operational reliability throughout the contracted period.
Supplier
Applanix Corporation
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNHQ-2116-TYHG
85 Leek Crescent
Richmond Hill
L4B 3B3
Canada
Email: wendy_barlow@trimble.com
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Email: Ashley.case101@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government